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Former Chatham district attorney, Democratic prosecutors endorse Heap

Three former Democratic prosecutors, including former Chatham County District Attorney Spencer Lawton, Jr., are supporting Meg Daly Heap, the Republican candidate running against incumbent District Attorney Larry Chisolm.

Lawton joined Donnie Dixon, a former U.S. attorney of the Southern District of Georgia, and Ken Hodges, a former Albany district attorney and Georgia attorney general candidate, in endorsing Heap on Tuesday afternoon outside the Chatham County Courthouse.

The three supporters said they support Heap, instead of the incumbent Democrat, because they believe she is the best person for the job.

“These are times when our communities are driven by partisan strife,” Lawton said. “The district attorney ought to be — and is — above politics.”

Heap, who spent 15 years as a Chatham assistant district attorney before resigning in 2010, will have the confidence of the judges, obtain the loyalty of staff and work in partnership with the police, he said.

Chisolm was out of town and unable to comment on the endorsements, said spokesman Daniel Baxter. Chisolm is seeking a second term as district attorney after taking office in 2009.